Establishes Health Care Workers COVID-19 Supplemental Benefits Program; appropriates $30 million.
The bill aims to alleviate the economic burdens faced by health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly those suffering from long-term effects known as 'long COVID'. By providing these supplemental benefits, it addresses the financial instability that could arise from prolonged incapacity to work due to health issues stemming from COVID-19. The program will be funded with a $30 million appropriation from the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund, providing significant financial resources for the stated purpose.
Senate Bill 3964 establishes the Health Care Workers COVID-19 Supplemental Benefits Program under the Division of Workers' Compensation in New Jersey. It is designed to provide additional financial support to health care workers who contracted COVID-19 in the course of their employment and are eligible for workers' compensation benefits. The bill specifies that these supplemental benefits will amount to 70% of the worker's wages at the time of injury, with total compensation not exceeding $1,800 per week. This support will be applicable as long as the worker is unable to work due to COVID-19, capped at a maximum duration of 180 weeks.
While the bill has strong support from various stakeholders who advocate for health care workers, potential points of contention may arise related to the expansive eligibility and the duration of the benefits. Concerns may surface regarding the implications on the overall workers' compensation system, particularly if additional funds are required to sustain the program or if there is perceived inequity in how benefits are distributed among different sectors or types of healthcare facilities. Additionally, the requirement for claims to be filed within two years following the end of the public health emergency could be a limitation that some stakeholders view critically.